Three weeks to go; should I be flying?

[MitralMan]

There is an important meeting for my small company in Europe which I should attend next week. Before learning last week that I need mitral valve surgery (and have scheduled it for less than three weeks from now), it would have been a no-brainer: hop on the plane on Monday night, arrive 7 hours later, cab it to the meeting, spend an hour, then hop an 8 hour flight back.

All of a sudden, I'm not so sure about this. My wife tells me I shouldn't even think about. My cardiologist says it's not a problem. I know that I've experienced the occasional shortness of breath on flights becaue of pressurized cabins.

I'm on the verge of incurring my wife's wrath (and fear) by getting on that plane.

What do you think?

 

[tobagotwo]

Hobson's choice.

As far as the practicality of the flights, you will likely survive the jet rides. If you are not already taking an anticoagulant, consider taking aspirin beforehand, if your doctor approves. And move about the cabin at regular intervals to stretch your legs.

Could you use a teleconferencing tool to be there by video? Is this truly that important a meeting to physically attend? For an hour of attendence? Ask yourself, is it likely that there will be another critically important meeting very soon, and one after that? These things tend to never stop showing up, and somehow, they're all critically important...

The personal practicality remains an issue. Your plight has activated your spouse's protective instincts, and you can neither turn them off, nor discount her feelings about it. Will you find it difficult to board a place with two broken legs? Or with the coffee table you may be handcuffed to? How about with an angry and determined spouse attached to your ankle by her molars?

If possible, you need to function as a team for these next few months. Validating the value of her concerns will go a long way toward helping that to happen. Ignoring them will likely be a mistake, and could amount to shutting her down or shutting her out. From a strictly human angle, if she will not be convinced that you will be safe in the air, short of financial ruin, you should strongly consider not going.

Your cardiologist has already given his blessing. Is it possible she would feel better if she came with you, to see that you are all right? Is that feasible, considering other, possible family obligations? Could you then stay there a couple of interesting days? That might be good for both of you.

Good luck with this,

 

[Mary]

I would consider that if anything happens out of country, your insurance might not cover you. If that's not a problem, I'd go with my instincts.

 

[MitralMan]

It dawns on me that 15 hours for 30 minutes is a bit absurd...

It dawns on me that 15 hours for 30 minutes is a bit absurd...

Thanks for your responses!

 

[Debrinha GT]

I'm not so sure!

I'm not so sure!

Hi there MitralMan! I've already had three mitral valve replacements because of rheumatic fever, and I'll tell you this: I had a ticket to go to Scotland with my husband just after New Year, but when I went to the cardio for my echo, he siad I could not go on a plane for there was a rupture on my valve and it would be dangerous. I had the third surgery within a month of hearing the news and I was devastated. Now, here I am again, nene years later and on the road to another replacement. If you have any questions you'd like to ask me, feel free, and I'll be very happy to be of help.

Débora from Brazil

 

[countryboy]

Listen to your wife

Listen to your wife

When I had my AVR 5 weeks ago, my wife said that is the most terified she had ever been in our 31 year marriage. She suffered all the pain that I did. Ask yourself--is the meeting that important? You will find after this that there are many more important things in life than meetings.

God Bless,

Bobby

 

[bvdr]

I don't travel by air as much as many people do but I fly on an average of once every month or so. Several months before I had valve surgery, I had rapid atrial fib set in on a flight from North Carolina to Chicago. I had a short layover in Chicago and then a very short flight to Grand Rapids where I was helping my sister with my niece's wedding preparations. It wasn't the first time I had had it but it was an uncomfortable situation. I was traveling alone and decided to continue my flight. I ended up having it on and off the entire time I was there but didn't tell anyone. It was one of those times when it seemed right not to do anything to divert the attention from my beautiful bride niece. If I had been at home then I more than likely would have sought out medical care since I was not yet on any anti-arrhythmia medication.

Sometimes it is hard to know what to do. For me, I know I am much more prone to developing arrhythmias when I am retaining extra fluid. I take that into consideration when flying and really curtail my sodium intake, avoid all forms of caffeine and only eat lightly before flying. I do get up and walk a few times and do some leg exercises while in my seat but I still usually get puffy ankles if the flight is more than a couple hours long.

You might not have any problems whatsoever but just keep in mind that if you run into some then home looks awfully good.

 

[geebee]

I think the very fact that you are asking indicates you have some doubts yourself (in addition to your wife's). I think you should go with your instincts (be they acknowledged or not) and skip the meeting. I have little doubt your company will understand and you can always get the minutes or have someone tape the meeting for you. I am also sure you can send your thoughts or presentations for someone else to handle. Ideas, speeches, charts, etc. can all be replaced but you cannot.
Best wishes and smiles always,
Gina

 

[bvdr]

Somehow I had forgotten this but a couple of weeks before my MVR my husband, my oldest son, and my daughter-in-law, and me went to Mexico for a week to decompress. I watched my pre-flight diet and usual precautions but now in retrospect I remember a few more things. By that time I had become very symptomatic and standing in line in customs was far worse than I expected. I basically did nothing but rest during the week (which was the plan) but had a great family time. On the way back I rode in a wheelchair and it made it so much easier.

You are right though about 15 or so hours of flight time (plus your airport time in addition) is an awful lot for a short meeting even if it is an important one.

 

[Karlynn]

I wouldn't risk it. That much time in a pressurized cabin with all those germs (particularly this time of year) may cause you to catch a virus or bacteria that postpones your surgery. I know many people that travel on business and they always seem to spend a great deal of time fighting colds and such because of the flying incubators they have to travel in.

 

[Debrinha GT]

That reminds me..

That reminds me..

It's funny how reading someone else's post can bring back memories. I clearly remember having watched a documentary once about germs, bacterias and all that stuff, and one of the things that called my attention was what they showed about planes. They said it's one of the most contaminated places a person can be in and of course, they explained why but I can't really remember all the details now. It's something to do with the air getting renewed, I think. So, think twice before considering going on that meeting! Godd luck with your decision!

Débora from brazil

 

[MitralMan]

Wow, you guys are great. Thank you so much for helping me figure this out.

Wow, you guys are great. Thank you so much for helping me figure this out.

If I'm perfectly honest with myself, I know that I actually do NOT want to get on the plane. I've only been symptomatic for about a month, but in that time -- and especially the last time I flew across the pond -- I felt so ill at one point that I actually thought I was going to pass out and regurgitate all over a client. I've kept stuff like this quiet, because -- well, that's what we're trained to do from childhood. "Suck it up. Don't be a wuss. You're just under stress."

Yet this was after going up a single flight of steps (I'm not a terribly out of shape guy -- I ran a five mile race just over a month ago, a marathon in 2001). Very slow, but steady! .

When I finally went in to see my cardiologist, fully expecting to be told I WAS being a wuss, the echo showed 4+ MR and 6.3 dilation (enlargement?) and I SAW that valve and shunting on the screen. The valve wasn't just flopping, the darned thing looked BROKEN.

On the other hand, as tobagotwo pointed out (thank you), this isn't just about work vs. health, it's about my wife's feelings. If I'm -- again -- perfectly honest with myself, I often ignore her feelings because I think she's overprotective.

I'm a guy, right? I'm a CEO, right? I'm supposed to save the day, right? And...if I don't...who am I? This is as cliched as you can get, but I realize this whole open heart surgery thing is throwing me for more of a loop than I expected.

Thank you everyone for being willing to share your thoughts with me. I am so glad I found this site.

You know what I just realized? I'm actually frightened.

 

[MitralMan]

Debora, holy smokes! You've given me REAL pause!

Debora, holy smokes! You've given me REAL pause!

All of a sudden, "the odds" take on a different value.

I take it you've had porcine replacements?

Hi there MitralMan! I've already had three mitral valve replacements because of rheumatic fever, and I'll tell you this: I had a ticket to go to Scotland with my husband just after New Year, but when I went to the cardio for my echo, he siad I could not go on a plane for there was a rupture on my valve and it would be dangerous. I had the third surgery within a month of hearing the news and I was devastated. Now, here I am again, nene years later and on the road to another replacement. If you have any questions you'd like to ask me, feel free, and I'll be very happy to be of help.

Débora from Brazil

 

[bvdr]

Mitralman,

My husband also is the CEO of a small company that we own and run. A few years ago he was forced (due to health reasons) to basically let others take over for a couple of months. He says it was the hardest thing he ever had to do. The company carried on (amazing!) in his absense and since then has felt more free to allow himself to maintain a less hectic schedule. He has always been one that has seen business opportunities everywhere but is now concentrating his efforts locally and enjoying some of the smaller things in life in the process.

Every single one of us felt fear! Going through this is a huge growth experience in many ways. You are going to learn a great deal about yourself and others too. I am still awed by how kind and caring some people were and also how some others were not.

 

[MitralMan]

Betty, thank you so much.

Betty, thank you so much.

I suspect this is like becoming a father for the first time; or losing my own father -- no one could make me fully understand what it was going to be like until I went through it myself.

I am ready to learn.

Thank you for sharing your story with me.

 

[Debrinha GT]

No porcine so far!

No porcine so far!

Hi again MitralMan, I'm happy to see that you're beginning to come to terms with your situation and you can be sure of one thing: if it's up to us, you'll be more than ready to face your experience by the time it's your turn. In answer to you question on the type of valves I've had, no, I've never had a porcine put in. I actually thought at one point that my second one had been one of those, but I've recently learned that my first and second were duramater and the third one which's the one I still have, is a Pericardium bovine bioprosthetic cardioprothesis valve. Well, as you've seen for yourself, I am living proof that a person can survive repeated heart surgeries and there are more members here who have been through more than once apart from me. If you're like me, get a hold of all the information you can regarding you case and it should make you feel better prepared and more at ease to face the surgery. Many people from my family and also some friends think that ignorance is bliss, but I simply don't agree! I wish I'd known about a support group such as this one 9 years ago when I had my third operation. If your wife too wants to join this site, she can post on SIGNIFICANT OTHERS where she should get all the support from members who have had a loved ones going through this. I think that if my family had learned more about the whole issue, they would have known how to deal with me better and also taken care of their own emotions for this is a procedure that involves everyone around you. Stay well,
Débora

 

[geebee]

My SO just brought up a great point that expands on Karlynn & Debora's posts and one that might help you over the question hump. An airplane is one of the most germ laden places on earth - recirculating viruses breeding at rapid rates. Multiply this arena by 2 and you have virtually no chance of escaping some type of infection just 2 weeks prior to surgery. If you are lucky, you might be symptomatic (sp?) before surgery and, worst case, your surgery will be postponed. If you are NOT lucky, you will be symptomatic about the time you are in recovery - major horror story.
Stay home, make your wife happy, spend time coping with your fright and you will be happily post surgery in 3 weeks.
Smiles,
Gina (and Chris)

 

[MitralMan]

Guys, I'm staying home.

Guys, I'm staying home.

This is a MAJOR-LEAGUE different decision than I've ever made before.

Life has just begun to change.

Thank you all, once more, for your help and thoughts.

 

[doberman]

Doctor knows best

Doctor knows best

If your doc says it is OK go for it. I found staying busy with my usual routine befor the surgery helped calm my nerves and forget about what was coming. I understand how your wife could be upset however, it seems she needs to be the one to be covinced that you will be OK. I played hockey until about 3 months prior to my mitral valve operation and could have continued but I lost the "heart" for it so to speak.
Good Luck
JD